Laptop advice

Bruanor · #1 03-12-2004, 12:49 PM

Ok, not really PPC, but still portable

I'm going to be buying a new laptop to replace my desktop system by the end of the month, and I'm wondering what advice/experience people have had. What brands to avoid, horror stories, etc etc.
I'm leaning towards a Toshiba, because they always seemed good and reliable.
So what's the scoop? Tell me if I'm crazy

BTW, looking to spend approx. $2000 Canadian (around $1600US)
Bru....

Brad Isaac · #2 03-12-2004, 01:13 PM

I like the Toshiba Satellites 6000 series. I'd stay away from Vaios. The last time I had a bad hard drive on a Vaio, it took many hours to replace because I had to disassemble the keyboard and remove components from the housing.

Brad Isaac · #3 03-12-2004, 01:14 PM

P.S. The hard drive is the first thing to go on a laptop. Make sure it's easy to swap.

bkbroil · #4 03-12-2004, 02:32 PM

What a coincidence....I just got my copy of mobilePC two days ago in the mail...and I have it sitting in front of me. This month's cover -- How to pick the perfect Notebook.
They categorize the Notebooks into 4 areas:
1. Middleweight
2. Desktop Replacement
3. Thin and Light
4. Tablet PCs
Thin and Light Editors pick - Dell Latitude D400
Middleweight Editors pick - HP Compaq Notebook nc8000
Desktop Replacement Editors pick - Toshiba Satellite P15-S479
Tablet PC Editor's pick - Toshiba Portege M205-S809
They do a review on 60 notebooks....you may want to get this months copy...
I personally own a Sony Vaio PCG Z1AP and I love it....Have never had a problem with it...
In the past I have owned a Dell Inspiron and the Dell Latitude. I did have a hard drive go on the Latitude and Dell had a hard drive in my hands the next day....It was easy to replace..
I have been seeing the new IBM notebook commercials and have read a couple of articles about their hard drive impact system that looks pretty good.
My Sony has one thing missing that I liked about the Dells...The Dells had buttons above and below the touchpad and the Sony does not...It was much easier for me to work with two hands when I had this configuration...Now I just pack a mouse......

Bruanor · #5 03-12-2004, 11:20 PM

Thanks for the tip bk, I'll try to find a copy here in town. Maybe I can find a VAIO in my price range.
I know what I want to have in terms of features etc, for example, firewire isn't important, but multiple USB ports are.
Anyone else have any input?
Bru...

knelson · #6 03-13-2004, 12:27 AM

I have been a heavy laptop user for years and replace my annually. I would go with the Dell. I have the Inspiron 5150 and love it.

Hantra · #7 03-13-2004, 02:29 AM

At the office, we have blown through many Latitudes, and they are good, but have their problems. Compaqs are MUCH worse. We switched back to Dell recently, and thank god they finally revamped the Latitude line. A change for the better, but still a 66% HD failure rate in the first 3 months we have had D series. .
If it were my money, there would be no question. . Thinkpad. Just because they are bulletproof.

Brad Isaac · #8 03-13-2004, 02:58 AM

I think they are bulletproof because their cases are forged out of iron -- at least by the weight it seems that way!

KIDDING!

Hantra · #9 03-13-2004, 12:46 PM

I was watching Tech TV's comparison of "gaming" laptops the other day. They had a big Dell, and an Alienware. They each weighed over NINE POUNDS. Yikes!!! You'd be better off carrying a PDA, and an AR-15 fully loaded.

Bruanor · #10 03-13-2004, 12:48 PM

I was looking at an Inspiron from Dell... but only 2 USB ports and no IR... one I plugged in 1/2 my gear, no more ports!
I do like the look of the Toshiba A45, but it dosen't appear to be available in Canada, at least not according too Toshiba's web site.
Bru...

g33kb0y · #11 03-13-2004, 03:13 PM

I've run the gamut on the laptops... I've had two different compaq armada's (P and PII), a toshiba satellite (PIII 700MHz), thinkpad (PIII 800MHz), and currently I'm on Dell Inspiron. The compaq keyboards were terrible. I had to replace the hdd on the toshiba three times. The thinkpad was a tank but it ran real hot.
My favorite, the Dell Inspiron 5100. I think I spent about $1300 on it last June. It's a bit heavier than a normal laptop, but for a desktop replacement, it's pretty loaded. 2.4GHz P4, 40GB HDD, 512MB RAM, 15" Screen, 32MB ATI Radeon 7500, 8xDVD/16xCD-RW. You do have a point with only 2 USB ports - I bought 4 port hub to add to my setup. My only complaint is no parallel port! If this is a true desktop replacement, and you have no other alternative to printing, you're out of luck with this Inspiron 5100 (lucky for me I have a networked printer at home)

If I had to buy one today, I would get another Inspiron.